Rutgers Study Highlights Rising Teenage Gambling Risks
New research shows nearly half of teenagers are engaging in gambling activities and exposure to risky family patterns.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Gambling
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A Rutgers University study of 1,677 Americans aged 13 to 27 reveals that 42.7% of teenagers have participated in gambling over the past year. Of those teenage gamblers, 11% are classified as high risk for problem gambling.
Why it matters
Researchers attribute these trends to increased exposure via digital platforms and the normalization of gambling within families. These findings prompt calls for the implementation of gambling prevention education in middle schools.
The study surveyed 1,677 Americans aged 13 to 27 regarding activities like sports betting, bingo, and games of skill. Notably, 75.5% of high-risk gamblers aged 13 to 17 have a family member who gambles.
The players
Rutgers University
This public research university conducted the study on adolescent and young adult gambling behaviors.
The details
The report highlights that 39.5% of all gamblers in the surveyed age range displayed symptoms of problem gambling. Additionally, 61.2% of high-risk teenage gamblers have participated in betting activities alongside family members.
Timeline
The survey measured gambling activities reported over the past year.
Culture Shift
The study aligns with the trend of lawmakers considering facial recognition for online sportsbooks to curb access. These findings underscore a broader societal shift as digital accessibility outpaces current regulatory safeguards for younger demographics.
Parents and guardians may need to monitor digital platform usage and family betting activities more closely to mitigate high-risk behaviors in teenagers. Schools could see an influx of new prevention curricula aimed at educating students on the risks of sports betting and games of skill.
The takeaway
Families should recognize that normalization of betting at home is a significant indicator of potential problem gambling in adolescents. Implementing open dialogues about the risks of digital betting platforms can serve as a vital preventative measure for young people.
Further reading
For more on the implications of betting behaviors, explore the Gambling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Deadspin.
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